The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Joyce Hagen (Paliga) Powell, 86, of Libby passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at the Libby Care Center of natural causes. She was born November 4, 1929 in Zurich, MT to John and Audrey (Schwenke) Hagen. She resided and attended grade school in Zurich. In 1942, she moved with her family to Big Sandy, MT where she entered high school, graduating with the Class of 1947. Joyce enjoyed band and sports activities in high school.

In February, 1948, she moved to Great Falls, MT when she married Nicholas (Nick) Paliga JR, a marriage that lasted 48 years until Nick's death in 1997. Nick and Joyce moved to Libby in 1951. In 1957, they moved from Libby when Nick started work of heavy construction. This took them to Idaho, Washington, Oregon and back to Montana in 1960. Joyce started her banking career with Northern Montana State Bank in Big Sandy and was then employed in several different banks wherever they lived. In 1978, she left First National Bank in Libby to start a career at the Kootenai National Forest, retiring in 1992. After retiring, Joyce enjoyed volunteering with various organizations, especially as receptionist for the VA Medical Clinic coming from Spokane every month to serve Veterans and helping with the Red Cross Blood drawings. She also enjoyed bingo. Joyce was a member of Christ Lutheran Church; VFW Ladies Auxiliary; American Legion Ladies Auxiliary; St. John's Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary; Senior Citizens; American Diabetes Association; Sons of Norway; Cabinet View Country Club; Red Hat Society; Eagles; and NARFE. In 2000, Joyce and Robert (Bob) Powell were married at Christ Lutheran Church. They very much enjoyed walking, golfing and traveling, taking many short and long trips together until his death in 2012.

Joyce was preceded in death by husband, Nick Paliga; infant daughter, Susan Gail; her parents; brothers Marvin and Clinton Hagen; and husband, Robert Powell.

Survivors include her children Lori Ann Landino and husband Dr. Louis of Seattle, WA and Mitchell Paliga and wife, Shannon of Berwyn, IL; sister Virginia Doerschlag of Kalispell; brother Myron (Sandy) Hagen and wife, Nina of Post Falls, ID; sisters-in-law Eloise Hagen of Libby and Lucille Haldeman of Allyn, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Joyce will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Christ Lutheran Church in Libby, MT. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting http://www.schnackenbergfh.com.

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